Most Likely to Die (A Kate Jasper Mystery) by Jaqueline Girdner Page A

expression sympathetic. That probably had been the way Sid had seen it. No more free car. No instant access to Charlie’s sister. Complete betrayal.
    “Now Jack was a different story,” Elaine went on. “He wasn’t dorky or stuck-up at all. And he really was a good musician. Remember, he was even in that rock ‘n’ roll band for a while.”
    I did remember. Jack had been transformed when he played electric guitar, into someone completely and maniacally alive. And completely at odds with the quiet, good-natured kid he usually was.
    “I even went out with Jack a few times,” Elaine confided, her voice dropped to an almost inaudible whisper. “It was really cool, especially when he was playing in the band. But then he just seemed to give up. Gave up the band. Dropped out of college, I heard. I never knew what was going on with that guy. I still don’t.” She threw out her hands. “And now that snooty wife of his keeps him locked up like a prisoner or something. Sid was real good for him, coming back home and into Jack’s life again. But try telling that witch about it.”
    “When did Sid come back out?” I asked.
    “Oh, a couple of years ago. He sold hospital beds on the East Coast for a long time, but then he got laid off, so he came home.” Elaine wrapped her arms around herself for a moment. “God, it was good to see him again. Letters just aren’t the same. And he landed a job selling office furniture right off. He was good at it. But the company went bankrupt. The economy, you know.”
    “How’d he get the job with Natalie?” I pressed.
    “I was the one who told him about Natalie,” Elaine shot back, beaming. “Our company and hers are in competition on a lot of the same contracts. And, much as she’s stuck-up and all, her company does do good work. But it needed a better sales department. Up till that time, I think Natalie was her own sales department. So I told Sid about her. And the next thing you know he’s working for her. I told you he was a good salesman. He even sold himself to her—”
    “I am so sick of watching TV I could just vomit,” came a familiar voice through the living room door. Dawn, if I remembered correctly. “TV is sooo simplistic. Anyway, Daddy says it’s almost time to go to Aunt Ursula’s—”
    “You and Daddy are going to Aunt Ursula’s without me today,” Elaine told Dawn as she looked down at her watch. “But you’re right, it is time for us all to get going. I have to get to the Kanicks’.”
    “Who are the Kanicks?” asked a new voice, the little boy.
    “None of your beeswax,” Elaine replied, rising from her Victorian chair, looking for a moment like Queen Victoria herself for all her slenderness.
    The boy blinked and turned away. His father did the same.
    “That’s okay,” chimed in a third voice, the remaining girl, the youngest. “We’re going to Aunt Ursula’s. It’ll be really fun.”
    “I’m sure you’ll have a fabulous time with your aunt!” Elaine snapped. “She’ll spoil you rotten as usual. Just remember who your mother is.”
    “She doesn’t spoil us,” Dawn informed her mother. “She merely teaches us to see the world in a totally different—”
    Elaine put her hands on her hips and glared Dawn to a stop. I was impressed. I felt like practicing the move myself for future reference. But I knew I’d never be able to pull it off. Except maybe on Wayne…
    “Elaine,” Wayne offered diffidently. “Would you like a ride over to the Kanicks’?”
    All eyes turned his way.
    “No, no,” Elaine replied breezily. She took her hands from her hips and ratcheted into gracious hostess mode. “I wouldn’t want to put you to any trouble. But thank you so much for coming.” She led us back to the front door and shook both of our hands, her children and husband forming a small parade behind her. “I’ll follow you in a minute.”
    We were dismissed.
    As the front door closed behind us, I could hear Elaine telling everyone to